Tufnell Park Ocado Tufnell Park

Project Overview
The Ocado Spoke at Tufnell Park Highgate involved the development of a new spoke facility within an existing industrial unit at Bush Industrial Estate, London N19. The project comprised extensive internal alterations to create a purpose-adapted retail distribution environment, including new partitions and doors, upgraded floor, wall and ceiling finishes, and the installation of specialist operational areas. Works included the construction of a mezzanine floor, new loading docks, steel protection measures and chilled storage areas. Alterations were also undertaken to the external yard to accommodate servicing, vehicle movements and operational requirements. The completed facility forms part of Ocado’s wider retail infrastructure, supporting last-mile food distribution operations.

Project Requirements
The client required the refurbishment and reconfiguration of an existing industrial unit to deliver a fully operational Ocado spoke facility. Key objectives included introducing specialist retail distribution infrastructure, integrating chilled storage and loading facilities, and upgrading internal layouts and finishes to meet operational standards. The project needed to accommodate mezzanine construction and extensive mechanical, electrical, HVAC and data services. External works were required to adapt the yard for vehicle movements, servicing and security. Delivery within a defined programme was critical to support operational rollout.

Glencar’s Role
Glencar was appointed as main contractor to deliver the refurbishment and fit-out works, coordinating all construction activities through to completion and handover.

Responsibilities included:
- Overall construction management and site coordination
- Internal strip-out and reconfiguration works
- Construction of mezzanine floor and loading docks
- Installation of mechanical, electrical, HVAC and data services
- Delivery of chilled storage and specialist operational areas
- Management of external works, yard alterations and security installations
- Programme, quality and health and safety management

Scope of Works
Enabling Works / Civils & Infrastructure
- Site set-up and enabling activities
- Coordination of existing services
- Yard alterations and below-ground works

Building / Superstructure
- Internal structural alterations
- Mezzanine floor construction
- Steel protection works

Fit-Out & Building Services
- New partitions, doors and internal finishes
- Mechanical, electrical, HVAC and data services
- Chilled storage installations
- Loading dock infrastructure

External Works & Landscaping
- Yard alterations and servicing areas
- Vehicle fueling infrastructure
- Security fencing and barriers
- Soft and hard landscaping

Technical & Delivery Challenges
The project involved extensive refurbishment works within an existing industrial unit, requiring careful sequencing to manage strip-out, new structural elements and specialist installations within a constrained programme. Integrating mezzanine structures, chilled storage and loading docks within the existing envelope demanded close coordination between disciplines. Alterations to the external yard, including fueling and security infrastructure, required careful interface management to maintain operational safety and functionality. Delivering the works within an established industrial estate added logistical constraints that required detailed planning and coordination.

Delivery Conditions Addressed
- Existing building refurbishment
- Retail food distribution environment
- Integration of mezzanine and loading infrastructure
- Complex building services installations
- Concurrent internal and external works
- Programme-driven delivery


The Outcome
The completed Ocado Spoke at Tufnell Park Highgate delivers a fully operational retail distribution facility tailored to last-mile food fulfilment. The reconfigured internal layout, specialist operational infrastructure and upgraded services provide a facility aligned with Ocado’s network requirements. External yard alterations and security measures support safe and efficient vehicle movements. The project delivers a purpose-adapted spoke facility ready for long-term operational use within Ocado’s retail estate.